Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pinto Beans)
A traditional Puerto Rican side dish featuring fragrant rice, pinto beans, and coconut milk. This puerto rican-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs long grain rice, (15 oz) pinto beans, coconut milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain rice
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 small, diced onion
- 1, diced green bell pepper
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a pot, sauté 1 small diced onion and 1 diced green bell pepper over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 2 cups long grain rice and 1 can pinto beans.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth and 1/2 cup coconut milk. Season with 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 4: Fluff with a fork and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pinto Beans) take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pinto Beans)?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep long grain rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pinto Beans)?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pinto Beans) for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pinto Beans) vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
